Radioprotective effects of sodium tungstate on hematopoietic injury by exposure to 60Co γ-rays in Wistar rats

Radioprotective effects of sodium tungstate (ST) on Co-60 gamma-ray induced decrease in hematocrit value and in survival rate in Wistar strain male rats were examined. A long term administration of ST (less than 150 mg/kg body weight/day) for 60-300 days had no significant effects on body and organs weights and survival days. The LD50/60 in 20 weeks old rats was 220 mg/kg body weight/day. Daily administration of 38, 75 or 150 mg from 7 days before and after irradiation to 60 days significantly mitigated the decrease in hematocrit values, especially at 23 days after irradiation (P<0.05). The highest mitigation rate of the decrease in hematocrit value was observed in rats administered at a dose of 38 mg ST/day. Simultaneously, a dose of 38 mg ST/day inhibited lethal effect of Co-60 gamma-rays significantly. The dose-reduction factor for survival of 38 mg ST administered rats was 1.14.